Sanju Samson, an Indian wicketkeeper-batter, shared a touching statement on social media after being named to the squad for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Along with Rishabh Pant, Samson was chosen as the wicketkeeper-batter in the team, demonstrating that his dedication and perseverance as the captain and batter of the Rajasthan Royals during the current Indian Premier League (IPL) had paid off. The batter, who was born in Kerala, wrote 'Viyarpu Thuniyitta Kuppayam' on Instagram in Malayalam after the squad was announced. This means 'Shirt stitched of sweat and hard work.'
Samson made his T20I debut—which also happened to be his international debut—against Zimbabwe in 2015. However, because of his inconsistent play, the presence of MS Dhoni and Pant in the wicketkeeper position, and other players' superior performances, Samson had very few opportunities to play throughout the years. His skill and hitting prowess are not fully reflected in his T20I stats. He has scored just 374 runs at an average of 18.70 and a strike rate of 133.09 in 25 Twenty20 Internationals, including one fifty. His highest rating is 77.
Still, he's had some excellent IPL performances. Throughout his 161 IPL appearances, he has amassed 4,273 runs with a strike average of 139.04 and an average of 30.96, with three hundred and twenty-four fifties. His highest rating is 119.
It appears like this IPL season is going to be his finest ever. Samson has demonstrated extraordinary consistency with the bat, collecting 385 runs at an average of 77.00 and a strike rate of over 161, with four half-centuries, not just keeping his team at the top with eight victories in nine games. 82* is his greatest score. He is now the tournament's seventh-highest run scorer.
Pant and KL Rahul, the captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who is vying for the same spot, have performed admirably in the IPL thus far.
KL has amassed 406 runs at an average of 40.60 in 10 games, with three half-centuries and a strike rate of 142.95. 82* is his greatest score. He has scored the fourth-most runs in the competition.
With 398 runs at an average of 44.22, a strike rate of 158.56, and three half-centuries, Pant is the fifth-highest run-scorer. 88* is his greatest score.
India is paired with co-hosts the United States, Ireland, Canada, and bitter rivals Pakistan in Group A of the competition. At the brand-new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, they kick off their campaign on June 5 against Ireland. One of the most anticipated matches of the 2019 T20 World Cup will take place on June 9 when they play Pakistan.
Squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice Captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj.
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan.
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